Fail-safe mode??
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Fail-safe mode??
Hi....
Here's what happened to me yesterday....
'02 Expedition w/120k miles (15k on a new engine).
Out of the blue, I stopped accelerating, lost most power. The "check engine" and "oil pressure/engine coolant" lights were on. It was taking forever to shift, a/c completely stopped working so I turned it off. I struggled to get home (about 2 miles) and actually made it. Read the owner's manual & checked the coolant....it's completely dry. Oil is fine. I'm guessing now that it's running in fail-safe mode.
My question...after I fill the coolant, what should I expect? There was no warning, no overheating before this, no puddle of leaked coolant in my driveway, no warning lights on in the dash.
I appreciate your input!!
Here's what happened to me yesterday....
'02 Expedition w/120k miles (15k on a new engine).
Out of the blue, I stopped accelerating, lost most power. The "check engine" and "oil pressure/engine coolant" lights were on. It was taking forever to shift, a/c completely stopped working so I turned it off. I struggled to get home (about 2 miles) and actually made it. Read the owner's manual & checked the coolant....it's completely dry. Oil is fine. I'm guessing now that it's running in fail-safe mode.
My question...after I fill the coolant, what should I expect? There was no warning, no overheating before this, no puddle of leaked coolant in my driveway, no warning lights on in the dash.
I appreciate your input!!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
Warped heads or blown head gaskets are the first problems that would arise from overheating an engine. A compression test might be in order to verify if all of the cylinders are okay.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,079
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
That amount of engine coolant doesn't just disappear, I would not fill and crank expecting everything to be ok. If you didn't have any white smoke, then you'll need to see where you lost coolant from. I would expect to be possibly tearing the engine down all over again.
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Update....the reservoir wasn't totally dry when I put the coolant in...very, very low, and almost completely gone, but not dry. I filled the coolant, started her up, and it ran fine. A/C worked immediately, lights were off, drove down the block and back & there were no problems.
But...the check engine light was on.
Any ideas on what's next??
But...the check engine light was on.
Any ideas on what's next??
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 407
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From: Proctorsville VT
I would keep a gallon jug of 50/50 anti-freeze (or at least water) in the cargo area so you are prepared if you discover a low reservoir.
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